CFAC consultant releases cleanup plan
The Columbia Falls Aluminum Company announced June 5 that it has developed a Draft Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study Work Plan to thoroughly understand conditions at its smelter site near Columbia Falls and to explore potential remediation alternatives to address such conditions.
According to a CFAC press release, the draft RI/FS Work Plan was developed by CFAC’s environmental contractor, Roux Associates, and it “complies with applicable federal and state requirements.”
“It presents a road map and schedule for performing a comprehensive assessment of existing site conditions and an evaluation of alternatives to address those conditions,” the press release states.
Under the draft plan, Roux will conduct field investigations in 2016 and produce a summary report by the first part of 2017. The entire RI/FS evaluation is expected to take about 4 1/2 years. After receiving public and regulatory input, CFAC will finalize and implement the RI/FS Work Plan.
CFAC approached the Environmental Protection Agency in December 2014 to discuss entering into an administrative order on consent to conduct the investigation, the press release states.
“Such AOCs provide for regulatory oversight of RI/FS Work Plan development and execution, including opportunities for agency review and comment on various interim steps,” the press release states. “If CFAC and EPA enter into an AOC, CFAC and Roux will modify the draft RI/FS Work Plan to include appropriate regulatory supervision.”
“This is a comprehensive plan for assessing the environmental conditions at CFAC and developing the data we need to evaluate potential remedial solutions,” CFAC environmental manager Steve Wright said. “I am looking forward to receiving input from the public and regulators on the draft RI/FS Work Plan so we can finalize it and move forward. We will work diligently to implement the RI/FS Work Plan and coordinate closely with Calbag to demolish certain site buildings and properly dispose of wastes.”
The draft RI/FS Work Plan is available for public review at the Columbia Falls Public Library and online at www.rouxinc.com/CFAC-Draft-RI-FS-Work-Plan-Available-for-Public-Comment.
CFAC is asking the public, regulators and other interested parties to review and comment on the document. A comment form is included on the draft RI/FS Work Plan’s Web site. Comments also may be e-mailed to CFAC-Comments@rouxinc.com or mailed to CFAC RI/FS Comments, Roux Associates, c/o Columbia Falls Aluminum Company, 2000 Aluminum Drive, Columbia Falls MT 59912.